A news release Wednesday from the city of Cortez announced three upcoming “TEZ Talks” to be held at Montezuma-Cortez High School this winter.
The city will partner with First National Bank and the Cortez Retail Enhancement Association to bring three former athletes to speak on Dec. 1, Jan. 12 and March 2. Tickets for the first talk are available at the bank. All tickets are free, but the release said attendees will be asked to contribute a donation of nonperishable food for the Good Samaritan pantry.
The first speaker in the series will be Mark Jackson, a former wide receiver for the Broncos who played in three Super Bowls. Cortez special events coordinator Jon Brooks wrote in the release that Jackson will “share his experiences on and off the field” and talk about how they shaped his NFL career.
Later talks will feature Robert Boudwin, who spent 21 years as Houston Rockets mascot Clutch the Bear. Boudwin will also appear at three local elementary schools on Jan. 11 and 12 as his new children’s educational character, Newton the Dragon. Also scheduled is Dave Stevens, who was born without legs but played several sports for the University of Augsburg in Minnesota and had a long career at ESPN.
“First National Bank, Cortez, is pleased to be able to bring quality, inspirational speakers to our community,” the bank’s executive vice president, Jim Muller, said in the release. “Each speaker brings a unique message that we think will touch everyone in a special way.”
All three talks will be held at the high school starting at 7 p.m. Tickets will be limited to four per family, according to the release.